SSE National League One: Blackheath 17 Wharfedale 7

WHARFEDALE fought hard for 80 minutes in this closely-contested SSE National League One battle on a day full of mistakes from both sides.

Blackheath deserved the win but it was disappointing that the trip south saw Wharfedale return without a point.

Having been denied a penalty try last week, it was the referee running under the posts for a penalty try that gave Blackheath their third score and denied Dale a bonus point.

The Green Machine matched the Club forwards shove for shove but it was strong running and good support play of the home backs that proved the decisive factor.

As in the last few weeks, Wharfedale started well and should have taken the lead but a fairly easy penalty kick from James Guy drifted just wide.

Blackheath also missed a penalty before building through the phases and creating an overlap wide to the left, putting Benjamin Summers in for the first try.

Dale dug in and were only undone by a fine break from Michael Canty, who extended the lead to 10-0 at half-time with an unconverted try.

Club opened the scoring early in the second half when Dale were adjudged to have done something wrong at a scrum, and referee Fergus Kirkby awarded a penalty try, which Ryan Squires converted.

Dale did not wilt and dug deep to come back into the game. Lloyd Davies sent a well-weighted grubber kick through and Oliver Cicognini touched down, Guy adding the extras.

The most thrilling part of the game came in the last few minutes, with Dale using every ounce of effort to try and close the gap and Blackheath striving for a bonus-point fourth try.